It is really sad that the concomitant biological problems to the diagnosis are not even mentioned and they are paramount importance. To make language, learning and engagement even possible the biology must be addressed first.
I lost almost a year without clinical testing and my son demonstrated to have- even when he was 98 5 in weight and height- celiac disease biomarkers, high liver enzymes, discompensated resporatory acidosis, compensated hipothyroidism, etc etc etc at 3 y 3m. My son was diagnosed 3 y 2 m but he showed symptoms from near 18 months; however, under the current paradigm he was not tested, for nothing by all that time
How much damage could have been prevented?? How much language and learnign and engagement was lost due to all that lost time?

About parent-delivered interventions, such as the Early STart Denver Model; why aren´t they combined with a detailed clinical protocol to test for concomitant medical problems to the diagnosis – all those I listed above? This way , such as all the literature is pointing today, the combined approach would consider the combined tretament of the biological plus relational-behavioral interventions- in parallel.
To continue with behavioral only interventions is only to consider one piece of the overall situation at an individual level; even more it can bias in an unknown way the behavioral intervention results. If the intervention is done only considering the HFA or Asperger, therefore it does not take into account the real world, when in front of any kind of diagnosis of autism, the recommendation is behavioral approach in general, without clinical testing.
If the intervention is done in a group with a diagnosis of autism only, there could be myriad of concomitant medical problems that could make the intervention far less effective due to underlying biological problems.

Not only the problems that I listed above- that are only from one anecdotic evidence- but the gastrointestinal, immunological, autoimmune, nutritional, biochemical, metabolic, mitochondrial and infectious (fungal, bacterial, parasitic and viral) should be properly addressed at an individual level and considering the literature updated.

So true @ML. Under the current autism paradigm, parents need to be aware of the differences between a child who has a social disorder as a result of unknown genetics, and a child who has sensory problems as a result of untreated medical issues.
A child’s senses, such as vision and hearing, can be greatly affected by infections, inflammation, and allergies. When a child gains relief from physical problems, language happily develops.
Vision therapy that strengthens the muscles, along with audio therapy that strengthens the detection of phonetics can produce remarkable results in developing language. Educational programs, such as Fast ForWord, can train a child to use language. When a child can gain communication, they can participate in learning at school and social interactions with peers.
We are so thankful many doctors who were able to treat inflammation, and for our ENT who was able to clear the infection through sinus surgery and make it possible to hear normally again. Plus, after digestion problems were relieved, the stress was gone as well.
Language programs are successful if the child is first relieved of the pain of negative medical issues.

I just had my 27 month old tested for autism and they said that he passed well above the markers for additional interventions. However I did not think of the physical aspects of it like you mention above… with sinus issues and GI problems. my son has seemed to be stuffed up or runny nose all the time and he goes from one extreame to the other with his Bowel movements… were talking extreme consitpation were i have to practically have to disimpact him to the Runs for a day or two. Any ideas where i can start about talking to drs about getting some anwers and solutions?

Hi jsachs
Thank you for your post. However, from what I understand Dr Dawson is very much on the current paradigm of autism. Could you please clarify how and about what she will talk about these issues of my concern?
I have to say that I live outside USA.
Thank you

I am an adult with autism, and did not come from a close family, and was recently diagnosed, at age 49 now unskilled and nearly homeless. my big complaint is there is too much emphasis on children, when there should be more help for adults… thats right ADULTS the children have for the most part care takers anyway its the adults who dont really progress too much after childhood that really need the immediate care why isnt this addressed….because its not politically correct? its bullshit IF THERE’S A GOD UP THERE I’M SURE HE’S DISGUSTED WITH THE HUMAN RACE…

Please join us January 5th for “The Doctors Are In,” the first in an ongoing series of monthly webchats co-hosted by Geri and our assistant VP/head of medical research Joe Horrigan, MD.

The ongoing series will recur on the first Thursday of every month at 3 pm Eastern (2 Central/1 Mountain/noon Pacific) and can be accessed via the “Live Chat” tab in the left column of the Autism Speaks Facebook page.

Drs. Dawson and Horrigan welcome your questions on behavioral therapies, medical issues and other concerns related to autism. In addition to posting questions live, you can submit them in advance to sciencechat@autismspeaks.org.